How to Care for a Scotts® ProVista™ St. Augustine Lawn Season by Season

Feeding

Because ProVista™ St. Augustine grows slowly naturally and thrives in the warmer weather, it may go dormant and appear more brown in the winter and take longer  to green-up in the spring. Giving it a boost when the mercury starts to rise will stimulate growth and help to spark a quicker green-up. You can do this with Scotts® Turf Builder® Southern Triple Action. In addition to giving your grass the nutrients it needs, it kills existing weeds and helps prevent insects from making your new grass their new home.

When the weather starts to get hotter, it’s time to lay down Scotts® Turf Builder® Ultra Feed™. An early summer application will feed your grass all season long. (Scotts® Secure Nutrients inside Ultra Feed™ are released when your lawn needs them, so one feeding can last for up to 6 months!)

Don’t be alarmed if you notice your ProVista™ lawn turning brown as it gets colder. This is a natural response to cooler temperatures and acts as a protection to the plant from freezing temperatures. Prepare your ProVista™ St. Augustine lawn for the colder months with a fertilizer application at least 6 weeks before the first frost. An application of Scotts ® Turf Builder ® Bonus S is recommended to apply in the fall season. This will continue to feed your lawn and kill weeds, setting you up for fewer weeds come spring.

Note: It’s important to be aware of any local regulations that might guide when, and where, you can use fertilizer.

Mowing

ProVista™ has been engineered for reduced growth. This means it grows slowly, requiring half the mowing of conventional St. Augustine turf.

It’s recommended that you keep your grass at a height of 3.0”- 4.0” on average. On your mower, use sharp blades so that you don’t damage the grass as it’s cut.

For grass growing along fence-lines and buildings, be careful not to trim excessively in the same spots so you don’t damage the grass.

Pro Tip: Avoid waiting too long (typically over 2-3 weeks) between mows. Mowing should reduce the height of the grass by no more than ⅓ of its current height. Cutting off more than that will lead to 'scalping' which will injure the crown of the plant and ultimately weaken the grass.

Watering

A steady watering plan is key for the health and growth of your grass. It's best to water in the early morning and watering too late in the evening should be avoided to help prevent the development of disease, but whenever you water, be sure to do so deeply and evenly. Avoid overwatering. Maximizing your watering can help the lawn stay thick and strong.